achieving erections while lowering viral load...

Dec 21, 2003

I recently started on my first combo of sustiva,viread & epivir. I want to avoid taking anything that will interefere with getting the best results from this combo. Will taking viagra or cialis on occasion cause any trouble in my results from my meds? I have some trouble with erections but at the same time I want to lower my viral load and raise my cd4 without interferance!

Response from Dr. Young

Thanks for your question.

The essential thing to ensure the sucess of your regimen is not to miss doses of your HIV medications.

There are drug interactions between the erectile dysfunction drugs (like Viagra) and certain HIV medications, but typically only where the Viagra levels are increased. That is to say that Viagra doesn't appear to affect the HIV medications.

When persons are taking HIV medications (particuarly protease inhibitors, but perhaps to a lesser extent, efavirenz (Sustiva)), I recommend using the lowest possible effective dose of Viagra and, of course, to let your HIV doctor know what medications (including Viagra, but all over the counter medications and supplements too) you're taking.

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